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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

I have not worked on anything since my socks on Sunday...and I finished Pride and Prejudice last week..and a couple of short historical romances...haven't picked up a book since...so how about some completed projects with a model????

My husband's best friend, Jennifer and her husband, had their first baby in March...right before the Hubs birthday...Jennifer had asked if I would make her a hat..she had seen some cute ones on Facebook/etsy..I said sure....well I made her a bunch! Nine...yep..nine hats...

Now Beckett is starting to wear them...yeah! This one started it off..she had seen something like it on Facebook....then the second picture, I bought the yarn specifically to make a hat, as it is vegan yarn and Jen is a vegetarian.....

This one started it all

Made with vegan yarn

Owl!!!

Pompoms!

Grrrrr! My favorite picture!

Jennifer says most are too small now...well her birthday is in March..time to make some new hats...

Sunday, January 27, 2013

This morning I got up and worked on the Johnny socks....then I got an email that stated that grades were due tomorrow...YIKES!!! I am such a procrastinator!!! I had a couple things to correct....did what I could of the grades...I've been out of school the last three school days..and I did not bring everything home with me.....so I'll get the rest done tomorrow...we are suppose to get some nasty weather tomorrow, but in the afternoon...just right for the drive home..yeah!

Yesterday I put in some work on the Hermione's Everyday socks and got past that damn cuff! I am 3 repeats in...I would have done more, if not for the crazy correcting/grading session today! Seriously HOURS!!! I told the Hubs I think I need to go shopping at Gnomeacres now and he's like No, you don't get rewarded for procrastinating....that's what he thinks! I've been eyeing some Dobby...cuz who doesn't need a little Dobby in their life? (And oh my goodness...she added some!)

And I knew it was coming, but tonight's episode of Downton Abbey...holy waterworks!!!!

And I finished my Sparkie this week..... I'm going to aim for a finish a week....

Saturday, January 26, 2013

I decided to join a sock KAL.....yeah I know, I should probably finish the 4 pair I have ONT....I am feeling a bit better, although experiencing some nasty side-effects of the antibiotic, but they are under control at the moment...so I might work on one or two today....

So what KAL am I joining? Kelly over at Celtic Caston is sponsoring the KAL...and we will be casting on Tanis Lavallee's Business Casual sock..I even love the yarn she used, so I may purchase it...Cast on in February....

In other news, my first installment of Mad Color's Mad Geek Tour Steampunk and Artifiction

It's called Verdigris...and is superwash BFL and silk! It told me it needs to be a shawl...

I finally finished reading Pride and Prejudice yesterday...I have not read much, but in the past week have finished 4 books...haven't wanted to craft, but read yes....the three other books were light, fluffy historical romances....perfect when you are feeling like crap...

This weekend I have socks to knit, papers to correct and grades to input for report cards....yeah we'll see how much gets done...

Friday, January 25, 2013

It's been a week of sickness for me....today I stayed home again, I was home yesterday too...I was at a workshop on Wednesday and coughed for the majority of the day...so home again...got a new prescription..so hopefully this will kick it in the butt, as the coughing is annoying, but my ears are still hurting too....

But I did finish Sparkie! He is a demo for a class I may be teaching (if anyone signs up!)

He is a FreshStitches design but through Knitting Fever. He is a free design, Stacey did several monster designs for them....

I'm not sure where he will go after the class....I do have a newborn baby cousin...or a friend whose daughter turns 1 in March...so we shall see....

Monday, January 21, 2013

Year of Projects: Update #3 Well I forgot yesterday about YOP......It's been one of those weeks..I took a sick day on Tuesday (went to the doctor..sinus/double ear infection), then we had a snow day on Wednesday...and we have today (Monday) off....then I have an all day workshop on Wednesday.....so I've been a little off on my days....

Spent the weekend vegging and taking antibiotics...and a cough medicine that knocks me out....oh and reading, read two quick books.... and working a bit on two projects....

I cast on another pair of socks..so I now have 4 pair OTN...I also almost completed Sparkie the Monster on Sunday night....I have 3 legs, stuffing and sewing to finish...shouldn't take too long....He shouldn't have taken this long...but it's kind of a commission....I'm going to teach a class at an LYS on crochet monster making...and I needed a sample....but I am a class 1 procrastinator...so having something I HAD to do...well it always gets pushed to the back burner....

Sunday, January 20, 2013

One of the major things I had to get used to when working on patterns is when I come across a chart in a pattern...

I understand that charts may be easier for designers, but they are much harder for me...

As I teacher, I have learned what kind of "learner" I am ..and I am visual leaner, but I have a very difficult time understanding charts, graphs, etc ...It takes me time to understand them...funnily, I don't have that issue with maps...But I think this may be why I struggle with math concepts and maybe even some science....

I am a linear learner..I like lists ..and I like written patterns...

When I was in school, I had to create a thematic unit and one of the requirements was to create a web that showed the unit..this was very difficult for me..I did create one, but it was very simple...but I also put in a "linear" showing of the web..The professor marked me down and I challenged her on it...if we as teachers are suppose to present information to the students and be aware of their learning styles..shouldn't the professors also take that into account? If I know my learning style and I did present a web (albeit a very simple one), even though it was not in my learning style and presented the information in my preferred method..how could she discredit me for that? She agreed with me and I received the full credit...

So has crafters and designers, who aren't teachers..are you aware of your learning style? Are you aware of what method you will learn best using? I know that many designers prefer charts, but are they taking into account the many people who really can't read charts....or struggle mightily with understanding them? I've not bought patterns because they only come in chart form....One of the hesitation with the Kai-Mei socks was really when I got to the chart....I have not worked on them since July, because there was a chart involved!

I know people have their preferences...mine is for the written pattern...or better yet....the choice of the two...

Thursday, January 17, 2013

So it wasn't enough that I have three pairs of socks ONT...no, I had to cast on another pair last night...A Heart Full Of Love: Johnny's Socks. I bought the kit at Stitches East....and since Valentine's Day is coming up....well I figured, why not? The cuff is going pretty quickly! And I remembered how to cable without having to look it up! That's a plus! So here is where I ended last night.

I also figured out where the heck I left off on the Kai-Mei, yeah me! Well I'm not positive, but pretty sure...and I finished one repeat of the lace pattern! So wow..I did cabling and lacing (and that really looked wrong until the very end) in the same night...Whoop! It's a dark picture, but it was after 9...

So my bed looked like this...

Then, well then I had to finish the repeat on the camo beaded socks...so I got another 4 rounds done on those socks...no new picture....

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

I have three pairs of socks in progress, but only have worked on two....I picked up the Kai-Mei and it has been so long since I worked on them (a bit intimidated by the lace section) and the fact that I really can't "read" knitting yet...I'm not sure where I am...need to figure it out...

On the other hand I have worked some more on my beaded camo one....this is the second sock, so I just need to finish it....

See that white behind the socks? That would be our freshly fallen snow, which resulted in a SNOW DAY!!!! for me....I am very grateful for it, as I did go to the doctor yesterday and I have a sinus/double ear infection...gives me another day home....yeah!

I am still reading Pride and Prejudice, have about 100 pages to go....but I have also downloaded 3 new books in the past 2 days....so will get to them when I finish....

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Year of Projects: Update #2The only change to the list is I cast on a pair of Hermione's Everyday Socks for a KAL...I will also be casting on for a cowl KAL, since I finally received the yarn. I have no self-control when it comes to projects....I am hoping that this list does help me this year.....but when KAL/CAL's come up that I want to participate in, I will....

I've been sick the past two days, wicked cough, headache...so while I was in bed yesterday, I didn't do any crafting, as I just felt miserable...I watched a Fringe marathon and tooled around online....well see how the week goes..YTD Completed:Crown for Natalie: 1/5/2013WIPS:Crochet:Mission Falls Poncho: (Started 2006)Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)Aran Blanket: (Started 2009): two panels doneAround the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ doneLarry’s Feet Blankets: (December 2012) Betty Shrug: I don’t know how long I’ve been working on this, but it only has an arm and a border to go.Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done.Knit:Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares doneSocks:Kai-Mei: (April 2012)Beaded Camo Socks: (July 2012)Hermione's Everyday Socks (January 2013)Scarves/Shawls:Splashy Flowers: (May 2011)Larry Stashbuster Scarf (2012)Breath of Fresh Air Scarf: (April 2011)Creekbed: (Feb 2012)

Friday, January 11, 2013

A friend's daughter turned five and was having a tea party....I ended up not going, but I made her a crown..by all accounts, she loves it....(ETA: Not my pattern or daughter...I linked it to my Rav page..just added some length to it)

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

So I thought the goal of spam comments was to get you to visit whatever site they happen to be pushing....

The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much
as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually
thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of
whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy
looking for attention.

This is a comment I received last week.....yeah really makes me want to visit their site, how about you?

ETA: The comment made me laugh...it was in my spam folder...I just thought I'd share it, because I thought it was funny....and really so not like most spam comments when they compliment you in really bad English (or the language of your blog). So it did not make me feel bad, seriously I kinda did a WHAT? and then laughed....because you know I teach elementary kids...I know whining....and I have 24 students who pay attention to me all day long.....

Sunday, January 6, 2013

So I decided I was going to join Renee in my own Self Imposed Projects update posts on Sundays...I think it's a great way to see what you've worked on and what you still have to complete (or start)Year of Projects: Update # 1YTD Completed:Crown for Natalie: 1/5/2013WIPS:Crochet:Mission Falls Poncho: (Started 2006)Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)Aran Blanket: (Started 2009): two panels doneAround the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ doneLarry’s Feet Blankets: (December 2012) Betty Shrug: I don’t know how long I’ve been working on this, but it only has an arm and a border to go.Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done.Knit:Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares doneSocks:Kai-Mei: (April 2012)Beaded Camo Socks: (July 2012)Scarves/Shawls:Splashy Flowers: (May 2011)Larry Stashbuster Scarf (2012)Breath of Fresh Air Scarf: (April 2011)Creekbed: (Feb 2012)

Bags:

Beach Bag: (started May 2010) Just needs lining sewn in

Really Big Bag (2011): Stashbuster

Charity:

Hats:

Misc:

Sunflower: (August 2012) Need a back and to felt

Sparkie the Monster: (Jan 2013)

Gifts:

Nerd Wars:

T7R1:

WIMs: Projects I
have the yarn and the pattern

Sweaters:

Saturn Sweater:
Dissertation for T7

Baroque Tabard Tunic

Test Pattern Sweater

Car Coat

Cowl Vest

Shawls/Scarves/Cowls

Trellis Shawl

Bedford Springs Shawl

Rockefeller

Wholehearted

The Age of Brass and Steam

West End Scarf

Gathering Leaves

Alhambra

Petal Edge Scarf

Filippi Scarf

Firefly Scarf

Fraxinus

Danube Cowl

Simple City

Fire and Ice

Multnomah

Leylines

Hats and Mitts

Hermione Hearts Ron

Nehalm Hat

Felicity

Stellar

Cabled Headband

Fetching

Cayunga Hat and Mitts set

Preposterous

Ruffled hat and mitts

Evergreen Gloves

Socks:

Memento Mori

Rubus

Siren Socks

Hey, have I Ever Steered You Wrong?

Savory Lace Socks

Autumn Flame

Firebird

Bags:

Sarape Shopper

Pleated Purse

I am starting the year with 18 WIP's (there are a few more, but I may frog those, as I've lost interest in them)

I have also already completed one project for Natalie's birthday.

I know what my dissertation will be for Nerd Wars, but can't start it until Feb. 1.

I have a couple of empty categories at the moment, because Nerd Wars, it'll depend on the challenge, hats I make as stashbusters, and gifts will be as they come up.

And I have a ton! of WIM's.....these are most (there are a few stragglers) of the projects that I have both the pattern and the yarn already...just need to buckle down and get them done...

I'm only going to link these to Ravelry once they are complete.....but all are either in my projects page or my queue on Ravelry.

The Little Red Riding Hood was is very cool, it was part of the Mad Geek Tour Fairytales edition.

I don't remember when I first heard of Jessalu, it's been a couple of years...but I have become a fan....I picked up a different box bag at a fiber show and was so disappointed that it was not lined on the inside. Her bags are really well made, with a coordinating fabric on the inside...

I was at her booth at the NEFF, and someone asked me which bag they should get...I told them I couldn't choose, as I already had both of those bags...LOL...I really think I'm getting a Gnome bag next....I really love her box bags, but might try a bucket bag next....

And, of course, the Mad Geek Tour includes an exclusive Jessalu bag in the third month...I love Heather and her yarn, but I was sold when I found out about the bag extra.....I'm signing up for the Steampunk version next....

Please check out Jessalu's site as she has much better pictures...and of course, Mad Color.....

Friday, January 4, 2013

I finished my third Seraphina....this one is going to a friend of a friend in her second battle with cancer....

Now the last time I Ta-Da'd my Seraphina, someone commented that they'd like to see it after it was blocked...well I've made all three of my Seraphinas with boucle yarn...so no blocking involved..it's the nature of the yarn...

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

I have to go back to work today...sad face....When I took out my clothes last night I realized I've been in pajamas or lounge clothes all but 3 days since December 21...pretty remarkable!

I have endeavored to finish up some of my WIP's and with that in mind I have picked up my Camo Beaded Socks again.....and ripped them all out last night and restarted the cuff....it wasn't working for me....

I did finish the Seraphina...for Friday...

then I worked on the feet blankies (green and blue thing on the right) They hurt my hands, so can only do a couple of rounds at a time....

I'm also suppose to be teaching a class and was suppose to get the example done and to the store....yeah did I mention I'm a procrastinator! But I have started it....maybe we can push the class back...so that's the bright green, with the pink ball and maroon ear puffs...

I finished 100 Cupboards...it was good...not fantastic, but good...I'd read the next book in the series...we'll have to see what my students thought....I'm still plugging along at Pride and Prejudice on the nook....and I've been flipping through tons of magazines lately...I'm looking for a fingerless glove pattern...I want knit...with little buttons on the side...